The lone significant precipitation event of November was an early-season winter storm that dropped four or more inches of snow on portions of southwest and central Minnesota on the 5th and 6th.[see: Early November Snow - November 5-6]

Average monthly temperatures for November in Minnesota were somewhat below historical averages. Extremes for the month ranged from a high of 66 degrees at Wheaton (Traverse County) on the 13th, to a low of -13 degrees at Argyle (Marshall County) and Camp Norris (Lake of the Woods County) on the 24th.[see: November 2013 Climate Summary Table]

Where we stand now:

Snow depths across Minnesota generally range from a trace in southeastern counties to over 24 inches along the Lake Superior highlands of northeast Minnesota. Much of the northern one-third of Minnesota reports at least one foot of snow cover.[see: NWS Snow Depth Estimation Map]

The U. S. Drought Monitor, released on December 5, places large sections of the southern one-half of Minnesota, and a small area of northwest Minnesota, in the Moderate Drought category. Roughly one-quarter of the state is designated as undergoing Moderate Drought. The U. S. Drought Monitor index is a blend of science and subjectivity where drought categories (Moderate, Severe, etc.) are based on several indicators.[see: Minnesota Drought Condition Summary | Red River Basin Drought Decision Support System]

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that stream discharge values, where winter monitoring is possible, are near the middle of the historical data distribution for most Minnesota gauging locations.[see: USGS Stream Flow Conditions]

Minnesota lakes and rivers are mostly ice covered. However, heavy early-December snowfall created an insulating blanket in some areas and will hinder ice formation. Lake and river ice is never completely safe. Caution is always advised when venturing onto the ice. [see: DNR Conservation Officer Reports]

Future prospects:

The December precipitation outlook indicates a lean towards above-normal conditions in northern Minnesota and equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal conditions in southern Minnesota. December precipitation normals range from around one-half inch in western Minnesota to over one and one-quarter inches in eastern sections of the state. The historical median snow cover at the end of December ranges from under five inches in southwest counties, to over 10 inches on the ground in northeast Minnesota (20 inches in the Lake Superior highlands).[see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook | December Precipitation Normal Map]

The December temperature outlook tilts towards below-normal conditions across most of Minnesota with the exception of southeastern counties where equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal temperatures are offered. Normal December high temperatures are in the mid-20s to near 30 to start the month, dropping to the mid-teens to near 20 by month's end. Normal lows are around 10 degrees early in the month, falling to the mid-single digits above and below zero by late December.[see: Climate Prediction Center 30-day Outlook | December Temperature Normal Map]

The 90-day precipitation outlook for December through February offers equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal conditions across Minnesota. The December through February temperature projection also calls for equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal conditions for many Minnesota locales. However, the long-term temperature outlook for northwest Minnesota leans towards below-normal conditions.[see: Climate Prediction Center 90-day Outlook]